I have a 1998 Durango 4x4 with the big daddy 5.9L. I love this truck. Anyway I have 120k miles on it and blew a head gasket. I want to rebuild this motor and at the same time the trans and trasfer case. I use this truck to tow no more than 4000 Lbs. I want more power[sm=badbadbad.gif]. I want to keep the motor close to stock. I want to put flat top pistons in it for sure but don't want any ping, anyone ever do this? Also I want to put in a nice close to stock roller cam and have the heads ported small and have them polished. I also want to put in double spring valve springs in or hardend springs. Any info would be great.

Also in the trans I want to put in a shift kit and a good torq converter in with a bigger pan and rebuild it.

The transfer case just gone through or rebuilt.

Anyone with info on doing any of these, or how did they work for more power and miles per gallon please leave me your story.

 

Sound like a lot of work. I have not personally done any of those mods but am looking at doing the same. I have a 5.2 and the tranny shifts are slow and weak. I talked with Dan Arcand from Fastman, which he suggested to change the valve body instead of installing the shift kit, unless you know what your doing. But, they can make the adjustments that will work with what you want. I am not trying to promote Fastman CO but, he's pretty cool. He also mentioned that installing a torque converter will greatly improve the rpm gain when taking off. I have 33" tires and it lags at take off, I have to smash the pedal. I've retarded the distributor, and it seems to help though.

The closest roller cams I found to stock were 1.6 and 1.7. I've heard that using the 1.7 you have to change the valve covers even though it says that it will fit with the stock covers. Also, if you plan on changing the camshaft, some suggested using the 1.6. I am not exactly sure why, but that's what I read.

Well, talk with ya later,
MAD 4x4